A Blossoming Young Talent: Favour’s Story

My dearest Faithfuel Community,

I am so pleased to be sharing this month’s Faithfuel story with you. You might agree with me that it has been a year filled with heartfelt and emotional stories of our kids. I’m amazed and honored to have been a part of their journey, and it’s been a privilege to share these stories with you. This month, I am excited to share yet another fascinating story of one of our ASA (After School Academy) kids whose passion speaks for itself.

Favour, our 16-year-old young talent, joined the after school program in September of 2019. Although Favour has a flair for fashion design, he also has an undying passion for becoming an engineer. Favour’s natural disposition is quiet and reserved, but he is still widely known in the Youth Center as one the students who consistently looks out to lend a helping hand.

At age eight, Favour first showed interest in fashion designing and started pestering his parents to enroll in a fashion house where he could learn how to sew. “I was very young, but I just loved to see beautiful clothes on people and I was always curious,” Favour explained. “Although my parents were not financially able to enroll me in a fashion school, the pandemic in 2020 gave me the chance, and I took it! I started learning from one of the A2S Alumni, Theodore, and it has been a wonderful journey for me.”

Favour’s parents, Mr. Igbinosa and Mrs. Christiana, are both actively involved in the A2S community, and Mr. Igbionsa was eager to share how he came to A2S.

“I found out about A2S when they were still at the church facility. I usually go there to help do some work because I am a carpenter, and that is what I do to support my family. My wife didn’t have any jobs at that time, so I met with Aunty Roseline and I told her my wife could cook beans,” Mr. Igbinosa explained. “I wanted my wife to be a part of what A2S was doing, and I knew she had something that would contribute to the Foundation.”

Mrs. Christiana added, ” My husband came home and told me to volunteer at A2S. Usually, you have to be part of the team that helps with the dishes before getting to be a part of the cooks, but when I got there I was asked to cook, which I did, and the kids loved it! I felt fulfilled.” Mrs. Christiana contributed, “I got employed eventually in 2022 as chef 2 in A2S, working at A2S is not a job, but an assignment!”

“Things were very hard for us; I didn’t have a job and I wanted my kids to be in school, so I would wash clothes for people,” Mrs. Christiana said. “I offered to work in a school as a janitor in return for my kids getting to attend classes, and at the end of the month my salary will be converted to my kids’ school fees. It was a tough period for us, but I wanted them to be educated at all costs,” Mrs. Christiana stated.

Mr. Igbinosa was keen to express his appreciation of the positive impact that A2S has had on his family, and in particular, Favour. “Favour has always been a quiet kid. He never talks and prefers to be on his own, but since he got into A2S, he has become more expressive and responsible.” Mr. Igbinosa added, “Favour now has friends, and he has improved tremendously in his academics.”

Mr. Igbinosa continues, “A2S has been a huge source of support for me and my family. If not for A2S, I would probably have sent my family to the village. I am a workman (carpenter), and we don’t have so much to do this season, so I can’t make money to feed my family. If A2S had not given my wife a job, how would we be surviving?” Mr. Igbinosa affirms, “A2S has lifted a huge burden off my shoulders.”

Favour also shared how A2S has opened up additional areas of passion and interests for him like the music club, and that he had to learn how to manage his newfound interests alongside his academics. “It was difficult for me to combine my academics with my sewing classes, but later on, I decided to prioritize. I would go to school and After School Academy from Monday to Friday, then spend my weekends attending sewing classes,” Favour explained. “I love the After School Academy, especially the music club. The music club is the highlight of my A2S experience,” he emphasized.

Mrs. Christiana is very supportive of Favour’s interests and passions because she believes that children should be allowed to pursue their passions and interests in life from a young age. “When Favour started showing interest in fashion design, I allowed him to do his thing because I believe that children should be allowed to make their own choice,” said Mrs. Christiana. “He was just eight and young but it was something he loved. He doesn’t do anything aside from sewing. His machine is his best friend,” his mum emphasized with a smile.

Favour has big plans of turning his passion into a successful career one day and is looking to the future in all he does. “I always dream of having one of the biggest fashion brands in the world someday,” Favour affirms. “When I get an industrial machine, I will create all of the designs I have. I want the world to know that I am a fashion designer, and I love to make people look good,” Favour declared.

It was a delight visiting Favour’s family. The joy and love in their home were contagious and could be felt in their gestures, smiles, and conversations. It was heartwarming to see the love in their home.

I look forward to seeing more smiles on the faces of additional families as we continue to carry out the Father’s business. Until we meet again next time, remember that all of our stories are important pieces in God’s story for our lives.

With Love,

Omotayo

A2S Communications Coordinator